John Edward Watson was born in Staining on 23 October 1884 and baptised at St. Chad, Poulton-le-Fylde on 7 December. He was the third of five children of Edward Watson and his wife Margaret Crampton who married at St. Chad on 22 November 1879.
In the Census taken on 3 April 1881, Edward and Margaret were shown living in Staining with the first of their children, Thomas Crampton, aged four months. A second son, Joseph William was baptised at St. Chad on 4 March 1883. Following John's arrival the next year, two daughters were born in Staining and baptised at St. Chad: Sarah Jane in June 1888 and Mary Ellen on 7 September 1890.
In the 1891 Census, Edward, Margaret and their five children were living at Mill Cottage, Back Lane, Staining. Edward was recorded as a general labourer and the three older children as scholars.
By the time of the next Census on 31 March 1901, the three sons had all left home. Thomas and Joseph were still living in Staining with relatives. Thomas was working for his grandfather, Joseph Crampton, a corn miller. Joseph was working with his uncle, John Blackstock, a joiner and carpenter. John, however, was recorded as a visitor to the family of John Moran at 82 Kent Road, Revoe, Blackpool. Like Mr Moran's three sons, John was working for Catterall & Swarbrick's brewery as a bottler.
On 21 November 1903, when aged 19, John enlisted in the Scots Guards at Preston. He was engaged for 3 years with the colours and 9 years with the reserve. His service record has survived and shows that he had previously been working as a carter for his grandfather at Staining Mill. After joining his battalion in London, John served on the Home Front in London and the south of England until he was transferred to reserve on 21 November 1906. Five days later he joined the staff of the Central London Railway, working initially as a member of the platform staff before being promoted to conductor.
On 7 July 1907 John married Harriet Louisa Carter at Christ Church, Southwark. Harriet was born in Lambeth in 1886, the daughter of Charles Carter, a lighterman, and his second wife Harriet Longshaw who married on 12 July 1880 at St Mary, Lambeth. John and Harriet made their home in Lambeth where their son John Edward junior (known as Jack) was born on 3 February 1908. Soon after, the Watson family moved to the Poulton area where son Charles Edgar was born on 4 February 1909 and daughter Margaret Louisa on 10 August 1910.
In the Census taken on 2 April 1911, John and his family were recorded at Brewery Cottages, Newton. He was employed by Catterall & Swarbrick as a brewer's labourer. A second daughter, Gladys May was born on 18 February 1912.
With the outbreak of war, John was recalled to active service and mobilized on 6 August 1914. After transferring to the 1st Battalion on 30 August, he was sent to France on 2 September. John was killed in action on 26 October 1914, three days after his 30th birthday. Pte. John Edward Watson, 5104, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards is commemorated on Panel 11 at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
At the time of John's death, Harriet and the children were living at 8 Pleasant Grove, Thornton. She remarried on 3 February 1917 to David Bullen, brother of Thornton soldier, Pte. Richard Bullen. Sadly, Harriet died the following year and the four children, aged between 9 and 13, were then brought up in Poulton by their widowed grandmother, Margaret Watson.
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